Cancer

Cancer is a core area of research at RCSI and includes a diverse range of projects involving breast carcinoma (Hopkins, Harmey, Young, Hill, Morgan, Byrne, Harvey and Thomas), colon cancer (Prehn, Kay, and Harvey), mesothelioma (Thomas), brain tumors (Farrell) and neuroblastoma (Stallings, Adamo and Prehn).

Research activities include basic studies on molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, translational studies on biomarkers that are predictive of clinical outcome and the incorporation of biomarkers in clinical trials.

In addition, RCSI cancer researchers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams from universities within Ireland and internationally to develop novel therapeutics. The research is supported by a wide range of imaging platforms from the National Biophotonics Facility and by the Cancer Genomics core facility, which has platforms available for the analysis of mRNA and miRNA expression, DNA copy number, transcription factor binding and genome wide DNA methylation.

The programmes are housed in state of the art research facilities in York House at St. Stephen's Green, the ERC at Beaumont Hospital and the National Children's Research Centre in Crumlin. More than 50 researchers, ranging from P.I. level to Ph.D. student are involved with cancer research at RCSI, supported by funding from numerous private foundations, SFI, NIH, and the HRB.